When asked about signing on to play Aquaman in a huge blockbuster film and what can comic fans expect; Jason Momoa responded with the following: "Things are gonna be a little different. When i first went in to meet Zack, his idea is pretty amazing. When i went in he told me.My jaw kind of dropped. My jaw doesn't normally drop. What he has planned for the DC world, and definitely for Aquaman, is something that i think i was brought on for a certain reason and they got some really cool plans for him and i'm excited for everyone to see it." Momoa also added another reason for his excitement in taking on the role on a broader level: "Also other thing that Zack thought of: there's not a lot of brown superheroes. I'm half Polynesian. What that's gonna represent to every islander, to every brown kid that's out there. It's really cool what they're doing with that. That's an honor to represent that." Skip to 18:40 min. mark at Panel: Smart Works for above.
When asked if Aquaman will have a beard and mustache from a 74 year old fan who stated she has the first ever Aquaman comic: "Well, i don't think he's gonna be blonde or white. Really can't tell ya since i haven't shot it yet.Hope to not disappoint. As you can see, I'm a little different. Hope you watch it with an open heart. It's an honor to play this. I went to school for marine biology. Like i said being Hawaiian, Kanaloa and Maui, those are our superheroes. They are our gods. Aside from the superhero thing, it's an honor just to be representing. Those are our gods." Skip to 24:00 min. mark at Panel: Smart Works for above.
Full transcript below thanks to @Jollem
i: Jason, so you just signed on for this huge - I mean, pretty much as big as you get in terms of - blockbuster film as Aquaman?
m: Yup.
i: So badass. We're so proud of you.
m: Oh, I know, yeah.
i: So what can fans of the comic book expect?
m: Well, things are gonna be a little different. You know, when I first went in I met with Zack. His idea is pretty amazing. The biggest thing is, I'm excited for everyone to...
i: Zack Penn?
m: *Laughs* Zack Snyder, sorry.
i: Oh, okay
m: When I went in, he told me, my jaw kinda dropped. My jaw doesn't normally drop.
i: You wouldn't notice anyway because of the beard.
m: Yeah, yeah. *Laughs* But it was, you know, what Zack has planned for the DC world and definitely for Aquaman is something that, you know, I think I was brought on for a certain reason and they got some really cool plans for him and I'm excited for everyone to see it! But I really can't (say anything). Like, last year when I was on this panel; I was eating chicken breast and in training and I wasn't supposed to talk about anything. I wasn't supposed to say anything until 2016!
i: Nice.
m: So I told a bunch of people they could punch me in the face if I was in it. So, I'm gonna get hit a couple times, you know what I mean? But they finally released it. But I was supposed to hold my (tongue). I had to keep a secret for three years!
i: Wow!
m: Yeah.
i: Michael Shannon has been here at the festival wearing a - Michael Shannon stars as General Zod, as we know...
m: Yes.
i: ...and he's been wearing an Aquaman t-shirt around town.
m: Has he really?
i: Yes!
m: *Laughs* That's awesome!
i: What's you relationship there?
m: *Laughs*
m: The other thing that was really exciting that I thought of; I mean, there's not... not to get into the whole... it's kind of like with The Red Road. You know, a contemporary Native American story. There's not a lot of brown superheroes. And you know, I'm Polynesian. I'm half-Polynesian and what that's gonna represent to every Islander - to every brown kid that's out there is gonna be like... it's really cool what they're doing with that. And, so, it's and honor to represent that.
A question from the audience. A 74 year-old lady from Rochester, New York. She's an ocean person and has the very first Aquaman comic book.
i: Is Aquaman going to have a beard and mustache?
m: Just going off on what you've seen so far, I don't think he's going to be blond or white. I really can't tell ya, 'cause I haven't shot (the movie) yet. I hate to disappoint. But you know, I'm a little different than what those other... I hope you watch it with an open heart. *Laughter* I went to school for marine biology. It's a real honor to play (him) and like I said; being Hawaiian/Polynesian/Kanaka Maoli, Kanaloa and Māui: those are our superheroes. Those are our gods. So, i mean, aside from the superhero thing, it's an honor to be representing (them). Those are our gods.